Deer tracks

[troutguy04]

I was wondering why some deer tracks are rounded and some seem to have more of a point that curves slightly inward. Is this just different deer have different tracks, kind of like our fingerprints, or do buck and does have different looking tracks?

[Myles]

I don't believe round or pointy means anything but , I've read that a bucks front hooves can be slightly larger. And make a deeper track than the rear, especially towards the rut, because of the weight of his thick neck and antlers.

myles

[tailchaser]

Tracks can tell a large tale in what size of animal you are chasing and can save a lot of wasted time. Typically younger deer will have small pointy hooves because they're not worn down from age yet. A good buck track will often be 2-3 times the size of a doe's track. A large factor in a track is if the dew claws are showing in the track. Often these marks indicate a heavier animal and point you in the right direction. A lot of factors have to be considered though when reading tracks. Was the animal running?? Walking?? These things will have an impact on the track.

tc